1st Lt. Chris Stafford of Fairfax, Vt., left, is greeted by his wife, Jennifer, and daughter Ella on Thursday, Dec. 16, 2010 in South Burlington, Vt. About 300 Vermont National Guard soldiers returned... more

1st Lt. Chris Stafford of Fairfax, Vt., left, is greeted by his wife, Jennifer, and daughter Ella on Thursday, Dec. 16, 2010 in South Burlington, Vt. About 300 Vermont National Guard soldiers returned Thursday after a yearlong mission. Nearly 1,500 Vermont soldiers have been gone for about a year, spending nine months in Afghanistan. less